Today, we conclude our countdown of the Top 10 games from the Big Ten in 2013. Remember that we took into account the stakes in the game, the excitement level, the quality of the performances and the atmosphere.
The top game on our list is from the top rivalry in the league ...
No. 1: Ohio State 42, Michigan 41, Nov. 30
How it went down: On paper, the latest edition of The Game looked like a mismatch. Ohio State had won 23 straight, while Michigan struggled often in 2013.
But don't underestimate the fire a rivalry game can ignite. For proof, just look to the second quarter fight that nearly spun out of control and led to Marcus Hall flipping the double bird to Wolverines fans on his way out of the stadium.
After the first half ended in a 21-21 tie, Ohio State opened up a two-touchdown lead late in the third quarter. But the Wolverines clawed back to tie it up again on a pair of Devin Gardner touchdown passes. The Buckeyes regained the lead on Carlos Hyde's 1-yard run with 2:20 left, and Michigan answered on another Gardner touchdown pass with just 32 seconds to go.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke made the bold call to go for the two-point conversion instead of playing for overtime. Ohio State's defense was ready for the play, however, as Tyvis Powell intercepted Gardner's pass in the end zone. The Buckeyes sealed it by recovering the onsides kick, capping a wild game that saw the two teams combine for over 1,100 yards of offense.
So why this one at No. 1? Well, the stakes were there, with Ohio State still holding onto BCS national title hopes. The rivalry intensified everything. And of course there was the bonkers ending. This was the best edition of The Game since 2006, and it was the best Big Ten game of 2013.
Player of the game: Hard to pick just one. Gardner threw for 451 yards and had five total touchdowns, exposing the Achilles' heel of Ohio State's defense. The fact -- later revealed -- that Gardner played the second half on a broken foot makes his performance more remarkable in retrospect. Hyde willed his team to victory by rushing for 226 yards on 27 carries. And Braxton Miller added five touchdowns and 153 yards rushing.
Stat of the game: Ohio State ran for 393 yards, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
They said it: "That's an instant classic," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said.
No. 10: Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 24
No. 9: Michigan 41, Notre Dame 30
No. 8: Arizona State 32, Wisconsin 30
No. 7: Ohio State 40, Northwestern 30
No. 6: Penn State 43, Michigan 40, 4 OT
No. 5: Michigan State 34, Ohio State 24
No. 4: Nebraska 27, Northwestern 24
No. 3: Clemson 40, Ohio State 35
No. 2: Michigan State 24, Stanford 20